分论坛4: 优化城市合作伙伴关系之• 链接研究和实践的力量（城市-研）

Partners: Simon Fraser University and Seoul Institute

A considerable amount of the recent progress in developing and achieving sustainability goals at the city level can be attributed to the growing consensus that urban sustainability requires the alignment of efforts from each the private sector, local governments, and support organizations. Yet despite these efforts, even the leading local governments and the best practice private actors continue to struggle with insufficiencies in capacity, expertise, and resources. The next wave of transition for cities will be the result of incorporating the comprehensive work being performed by researchers across academia, NGOs, and government. That being said, although researchers and communities are eager to collaborate, a frequently encountered barrier is that there are often no clear points for entry.

This sub-plenary session will investigate promising solutions for city-researcher collaboration, such as integrated research departments and research-practitioner networks. Representatives from the Seoul Institute – a founding member of the Megacity Think Tank Alliance (METTA) – and Simon Fraser University will highlight the innovative developments underway that are linking research to practice, and ushering in the next transformative movement for cities.

Objectives

Examine the institutional framework inside local governments for local policy innovation and the barriers in implementing new ideas on the ground

Explore the various types of existing city-research partnerships in different

Examine the types of urban policy that benefit from having such partnerships

Illustrate means that can help to close the gap between research and practice